Tom Mockridge Appointed CEO of Virgin Media

ENGLEWOOD: Tom Mockridge, who spent more than two decades at News Corporation, has been named the CEO of Virgin Media.

The appointment by Liberty Global is subject to its closing of the Virgin Media acquisition, scheduled for early June. After the closing, Mockridge will take up the CEO post, reporting to Mike Fries, the president and CEO of Liberty Global, as well as to a newly formed operating committee comprised of Fries; Diederik Karsten, the executive VP of European broadband operations; and Balan Nair, the executive VP and chief technology officer.

Mockridge held a number of roles during his time at News Corp., including chief executive of European television operations, chief executive of Sky Italia and, most recently, chief executive of News International. He is succeeding Neil Berkett, who is returning from Virgin Media upon the closing of the transaction. Berkett will remain in the role until the deal officially wraps.

Fries said, “Tom will bring to Virgin Media a breadth of experience in the pay-TV industry, both in the U.K. and throughout Europe. I have known and worked with Tom for nearly 15 years and have always admired his leadership and operating success in a number of highly competitive media markets. We are fortunate to bring an executive of Tom’s talent and experience in to lead Virgin Media in its next phase of growth. I’d also like to wish Neil Berkett all the best in his future endeavors. He has done an outstanding job at Virgin Media and will be missed by all.”

Mockridge added, “Thanks to the incredible energy of its employees and the loyalty of its customers, Virgin Media has become the U.K.’s leading broadband communications company and has developed an immensely powerful media brand. I keenly anticipate joining the team as it continues to deliver the cutting-edge TV and broadband products and services that excite and inspire its customers across the U.K. I’m also excited to become part of the Liberty Global family and look forward to working closely with Mike and his team as they continue to build the world’s largest cable platform.”